Stone Arch Bridge is known for graceful arches and views

The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis is famous for the graceful arches and breathtaking views, which has defined the skyline of the city. The bridge was built in 1883 by James J. Hill who was a railroad baron, to allow for more goods and persons to be transported across the Mississippi River. The bridge spans St. Anthony Falls and was used as a working railroad bridge until 1965. Today the bridge is used by pedestrians, bikers and the River City Trolley.

The bridge was used to bring the wheat from Red River valley and Canada to the Minneapolis mills and was known as the Manitoba Line. A plaque is located near the bridge explaining its purpose at the time.

Today the bridge is an icon of Minneapolis and the vital role that the Mississippi River has in the social and economic times of the regions. The bridge is made from granite and limestone, is 2,176 feet long, 28 feet across and has 23 arches. It is the only bridge of its type to be built over the Mississippi River and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District in 1971.

The bridge disappears from the Minneapolis Skyline of an evening, the City of Minneapolis and private partners are working to change this. Once the funds have been raised the bridge will be permanently lit, this will be done decoratively to highlight the bridge by lighting the undersides of the arches and truss, which run across the navigation channel.

Construction works have been done to the bridge in previous years in an effort to restore the bridge. This includes during the construction of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock in 1963 when two arches needing to be replaced with 200-foot long truss to span the navigation channel to allow barges through the locks. Due to a flood in 1965 three of the piers caused the bridge to sag required repair work to strengthen the piers. In 1994 the bridge was reported in preparation for recreational use. This was done through a partnership of public agencies that raised $2.8 million to do the extensive work such as repair and stabilize the structure, a new surface, railing and light fixtures.

The bike and walking trails across the bridge are part of the trails in the city park and trail system and form part of the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, interpretive plaques are located along the trail to detail the history of the area.

Numerous festivals are held in the area and the bridge is a focus on many of these. Fireworks displays during 4th of July celebrations launched from the bridge and also during the Minneapolis Aquatennial.